Dealing with Mental Health Issues During the Summer
(Good Therapy)
Experts share information on what mental health problems can be present more often during summer and how to prevent certain issues.
Mental health — an essential part of children’s overall health — is positively linked with their ability to succeed in school, at work and in society. Both physical and mental health affect how we think, feel and act on the inside and outside.
For children and teens, summertime is associated with positive emotions and freedom from school. However, summer can also be a time when certain mental health issues need even more attention than usual. The potential unstructured nature of the summer can feed into any underlying anxiety and depression present in kids.
The resources on this page will help you identify mental health services in our area. The tips will give you ideas to help your kids get outside and enjoy the summer. Remember to try to limit the amount of time your kids are online, watching TV, or playing video games. Be sure they’re active, getting plenty of sleep and exercising.
Reaching out to 2-1-1 will get you connected to a multilingual 2-1-1 specialist in your area who can put you in touch with local organizations providing critical services to improve and save lives.
Email: uw211help@gmail.com
Call: 2-1-1
Text: Text your zip code to 898-211
Chat: Click here
CHILL Summer Services
The CHILL Program will provide summer counseling services, consisting of six weekly individual counseling sessions, for students currently participating in the CHILL Program. Summer CHILL services will be offered on a first come, first serve basis.
You must be able to meet the following requirements in
order for your student to participate in the CHILL summer services.
• Your child must be currently enrolled in the CHILL
program.
• Parent must provide transportation for students under the age of 12.
• Parent must provide consent for children over the age of 12 to attend counseling without parent present.
• Parent must sign consent for summer services.
If you are interested in learning more about this summer
program, please call the CHILL office at 407-644-0453 or talk with your CHILL Counselor.
Free Summer Services will be available on June 12-29 and July 10-27 at Aloma Elementary, Dommerich Elementary, and Winter Park High School.
All students currently participating in CHILL are eligible for summer counseling services at these locations.
Click here for the CHILL Summer Services flyer in English.
Click here for the CHILL Summer Services flyer in Spanish.
Children’s Outpatient Therapy at Aspire Health Partners – Princeton Plaza
1800 Mercy Drive
Orlando, FL 32808
407-875-3700 ext. 6191 or 407-875-3700
Children’s Outpatient Services provides intensive therapeutic on-site, school-based and home-based services, psychosocial rehabilitation, basic living skills training, individual, family and group therapy for children and their families suffering from mental health, behavioral problems, traumatic life events or co-occurring substance use disorders.
The program accepts Medicaid and some private insurance. Financial assistance may be available for uninsured patients.
Hours for the program’s access center are 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., seven days a week.
Family Opportunities for Caring, Understanding and Success (F.O.C.U.S)
100 West Columbia Street
Orlando, FL 32806
407-245-0014
F.O.C.U.S provides counseling services to children, adolescents, adults and families in the home, office, neighborhood centers, and schools. The prevention level counseling services are provided by masters level counselors on a variety of issues including but not limited to depression, anger, school difficulties, self-esteem, motivation, trauma, and anxiety. Services are free to Orange County residents.
Summer hours begin June 20 and are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday by appointment. During the school year, hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
237 Lookout Place
Maitland, FL 32751
(407) 252-3087
Helping adolescents with self-esteem and self-confidence, anger management, school and behavioral concerns, bullying, relationship concerns, preparation for the transition to college and new levels of independence
Neighborhood Center for Families (NCF)
Winter Park Location
901 W. Webster Avenue
Winter Park, FL 32789
407-622-2911
Orlando Location
9839 East Colonial Drive
Orlando, FL 32817
407-207-1684
Eatonville Location
323 E. Kennedy Blvd
Maitland, FL 32751
407-629-5655
Each center provides individual and family counseling for children, adolescents, and adults through outpatient, in-home, and school-based services. Various other services and assistance are available through NCF. There is no fee for services.
202 Lookout Place
Maitland, FL 32751
407-539-2450
Summer classes and camps for students in K-12 to practice social skills and reinforcement (scroll down to “Summer 2017”).
(Good Therapy)
Experts share information on what mental health problems can be present more often during summer and how to prevent certain issues.
(FL Department of Children and Families)
It is important to help your children learn to identify what causes them stress and learn healthy ways to cope.
(Child Mind Institute)
Tips for managing your kids’ downtime to help make it relaxing for everyone.
(School Climate)
Tips to help parents reduce the chance their children might be the target of mean, hurtful, abusive behavior.
(Center on Media and Child Health)
Activity ideas based on your child’s personality.
(Common Sense Media)
Strategies for striking a balance between family bonding and electronic engagement.